Online air compressor and parts shop

Small workshops, contractors, hobbyists with garage shops, and maintenance buyers at small businesses.

The margin between your trade price and your selling price, plus extra from accessories, hoses and filter kits sold with each order.

• Product knowledge of compressors
• Online selling and basic marketing
• Customer support by phone and email
• Organizing orders and freight

• Product liability and general liability insurance, check that your policy covers products you sell
• Sales tax collection rules for online sales, which differ by state
• Heavy freight costs and damage in transit, agree who handles claims with suppliers
• Return and warranty handling, since compressors are bulky and costly to send back
• Check any manufacturer rules on online pricing or reselling before listing their products

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your website, whether you hold stock or ship direct from suppliers, and your marketing. These are estimates only, so build your own budget from supplier quotes.

Monthly revenue is typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your range, pricing and how many repeat workshop buyers you win. This is revenue before costs, and the figures are estimates only.

Check that your insurance covers products you sell, and your state's sales tax collection rules for online sales. Also check manufacturer rules on online pricing or reselling, and agree with suppliers who handles freight damage claims and returns.